Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-23
hECONSIDERED.
The President on the Battle Flags
~ Is Incident.
He ReconsIders His Former Orders-ThO
Matter to be Left TO COngress-GeneraI
--s. Drum Blamed-HOw the Incl
dent Originated.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE following let
ter was sent to the Secretary of War by
the President yesterday in regard TO the
disposition of the flags captured by the
Union forces during the late war:
have to-day considered with more care than
when the subject was orally presented me the
action OF your Department directing letters to
be addressed TO the Governors OF all the States
Offering to return, if desired, to all tine
loyal States, the Union flags captured
during the war OF the rebellion by
the Confederate forces and afterwards recoSs
cred by Government troops; and TO TIM
Confederate States the flags captured
by the Union forces, all OF which for many
years have been packed in boxes and stored in
the cellar and attic OF the War Department. I
am OF the opinion that the return OF the flags in
the manner thus contemplated is not authoE-
lied by existing law, nor justified as execu-
tive act. 1 request therefore, that no further
steps be taken in the matter except TO examine
and inventory the flags and adopt proper meas
ures for their preservation. Any direction 10
the final disposition OF them should originate
with Congress. Yours truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
1t seems that the return OF the Confeder-
ate flags was first projected under the Ar
thur administration. They had been used
as exhibits in the museum of the ordinances
department for many years, but General
Benet observing that they were falling 10
pieces and could not be protected from the
coin that they be removed, packed in boxes
and stored away. This was done, but tos
ward the close OF the Arthur administra-
ton, Adjutant-General Drum urged upon
Secretary Lincoln the propriety of return
ing them to the Southern States and Mr..
Lincoln finally assented that this
disposition should be made. Congressman
Boutelle, of Maine, becoming appraised Of
what was contemplated, notified the War
Department authorities that he would pre-
sent resolution of investigation and in
quiry in the House, demanding TO know
upon what authority these flags were to be
returned without the assent of Congress,
Thereupon the matter was dropped and
nothing was heard of it.
For some unexplained reason General
Drum had set his heart upon returning
these flags, and little doubt exists of
the fact he represented to the Pres
ident that it was the proper thing TO do,
and had been approved by Secretary Lin
coin and that ample law existed to war
rant this action. The President did
not issue any order to return
the flags and the matter was simply
held in allegiance until the premature
action of General Drum caused the ques-
ton to be further considered. II was
known at the War Department only yester-
day morning that a hitch had occurred at
the w bite House, and it was whispered
about confidentially that the President was
angered because he believed an attempt
had been made to hoodwlnk and deceive
him, and one end of the War Department
was rather blue.
Nobody is disposed to censure the Presi-
dent as to being the originator of the move
ment, and the fact that he took prompt ac-
ton in ordering Secretary Endicott to with
hold the flags, acquiescing in the view that
Congressional action was necessary in such
matters, demonstrates that the matter was
engineered wholly by subordinates Of the
War Department.
Innumerable protests against the return
of the flags have been received from Grand
Army posts, Governors of Northern States
and prominent individuals.